PMQT Written Answers – 18 January 1994

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 18th January 1994.

PRIME MINISTER:

Iraq and Iran

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what record has been kept of representations made to the Prime Minister by members of the public in regard to Iraq since 1985.

The Prime Minister : Records of representations from members of the public in the form of correspondence on this and other topics that have been received by my office since November 1990, and to which I or my office have replied, have been retained. No records exist prior to April 1989.

Scott Inquiry

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister if any request has been made by (a) Lord Justice Scott or (b) members of the public to Her Majesty’s Government to permit cameras and tape recorders to be taken into and used in the Scott inquiry.

The Prime Minister : The procedures of the Scott inquiry are a matter for Lord Justice Scott.

Mr. Winnick : To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received and from whom in the last six months that the terms of reference or the workings of the Scott inquiry into arms for Iraq should be modified or changed.

The Prime Minister : In the last six months I have answered a written question from the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) concerning a change to the procedures of the inquiry, and a letter from the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Cunningham) seeking an extension to the inquiry’s terms of reference. I have received no other requests for changes.

Christmas Cards

Mr. Bayley : To ask the Prime Minister how many official Christmas cards were sent out in 1993 by (a) himself, (b) civil servants and (c) staff of Government agencies working in or to his office; and how much these cards cost (i) to buy, (ii) to post and (iii) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes.

The Prime Minister : The information as requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Arms Sales

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what records are held at 10 Downing street of a telephone conversation made between his predecessor and Mr. Frank Machon in regard to arms sales in January 1989.

The Prime Minister : As far as I am aware, there have not been any conversations and there are no records.

Engagements

Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 18 January.

The Prime Minister : This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

Mr. Dobson : To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a full list of all statements he has made, and/or press notices issued by his Department, which referred to a possible completion date for the channel tunnel rail link, the dates on which each such statement was made and the possible completion date which was mentioned.

The Prime Minister : I have not made any such statements.

Crossrail

Mr. Dobson : To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a full list of all statements he has made and/or press notices issued by his Department, which referred to a possible completion date for the crossrail project, the dates on which each such statement was made and the possible completion date which was mentioned.

The Prime Minister : I have made no statements nor has my Department issued any press notices which referred to a possible completion date for the crossrail project.

Broadcasting Acts

Mr. Madden : To ask the Prime Minister what information he has received from the Irish Republic concerning its decision not to renew section 31 of the Irish Broadcasting Act 1960; when he received copies of guidelines issued to the staff of Irish broadcasting organisations following the non-renewal of section 31; what action he proposes concerning section 10 of the Broadcasting Act 1990; what representations he has received concerning households in the United Kingdom receiving television and radio broadcasts originating in the Irish Republic and observing different broadcasting requirements; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister : The Irish Government’s announcement of their decision was made immediately available to us, together with relevant background information. So far as the United Kingdom Broadcasting restrictions are concerned, I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 17 January, Official Report, column 369. I have not received any representations concerning the reception of broadcasts originating in the Irish Republic.